I have over the last 12 months done a number of bike builds with Di2 group sets, this particular build was an opportunity to take this to the next level.
I was recommended to the owner by an current customer and the bike and components duly arrived – it was like Christmas all over again and not just for the customer!
The bike? – A Specialized SHIV TT, with aero carbon cockpit, full Shimano Di2, being a mix of Dura Ace and Ultegra, Rotor 3D power cranks and carbon wheelset, although it was built with a ‘standard’ rear wheel for use on the turbo trainer.
Indications were that there could be issues with the compatibility between Dura Ace and Ultegra Di2 especially between the extension bar shifters and the combined brake lever/ shifters. A call to my City and Guilds tutor resulted in the offer of a Shimano Interface to allow compatibility to be restored!
First job was to build the aero cockpit: I would have never thought there were so many parts or different build options, but it is a specialist TT bike. The point of no return came next and after consultation with the customer the steerer tube was cut to the desired height and the cockpit installed.
It is always a joy to work on a frame where the manufacturer has taken the time to ensure the cable routing has been thought through and it was a straightforward job to route all the Di2 cables and link all the components.
Once everything had been linked it was then time to charge the battery and a fingers crossed moment to see if the differing components would actually ‘talk’ to each other. Thankfully there were no issues with compatibility and the loan of the interface wasn’t required.
An adjustment of the gear indexing and the bike was ready.
Specialized SHIV TT bike build and another happy customer…
When the customer came to collect the bike, had it not been dark and the wind blowing a hooligan I am sure he would have been off along the road for a quick trial!
Recent Comments